Pigs are raised primarily for pork production. Pork is an important source of protein for humans. The skin of the pig may be used for leather.

For the first 3-4 weeks of life, the piglets consume milk from the sow. For the remainder of life, the primary components of pig diets are cereal grains, such as corn, and soybean meal. The soybean meal provides protein, while the cereal grains provide carbohydrates. The diet is supplemented with vitamins and minerals

The pig is a litter-bearing animal and a typical female will give birth to 10 or more piglets. It is common for sows to give birth to two litters of pigs each year. Thus, one female pig often produces 20 pigs each year.